Microsoft has updated the Office programs to support the OpenDocument format (ODF) to version 1.3.
Most people use Office Open XML format (OOXML) which is the official name for what is usually called the ‘new’ Microsoft Office formats, .docx .xlsx .pptx etc.
OpenDocument files .odt .ods .odp etc are also supported in Office 365 and other Office releases. Until now, version 1.2 of the ODF format was recognized, leaving some document capabilities and features unavailable.
Saving to ODF formats is done from the Save As … dialog, way down the bottom of the list is ‘OpenDocument …’
Updating to ODF version 1.3 opens up some new features in Office because they can now be saved to ODF formats. Microsoft’s list of changes is:
Word
- First Page Header or First Page Footer: The Different First Page setting now persists when the document is saved as .odt.
- Drop-down Content Control: Any drop-down control inserted by clicking Developer > Controls now persists when the document is saved as .odt.
- Page Number field that starts at page number zero: When the first page of a document is set to show a page number by clicking Insert > Page Number > Format Page Numbers, and, in the Start at box, type 0 and click OK, the setting now persists when the document is saved as .odt.
- Reviewer initials in comments: The initials of the comment creator persist when the document is saved as .odt.
Excel
- Tab color: Any tab color set by right-clicking a sheet tab, clicking Tab Color, and then picking the color you want now persists when the worksheet is saved as .ods.
- New trendline types in Charts: Any moving average or polynomial trendline added to a chart now persist when the worksheet is saved as .ods.
- Shapes in Charts: Any shapes added to a chart by clicking Insert > Shapes now persist when the worksheet is saved as .ods.
- Scale-to-X/Y: Any page layout, scale to fit, and width/height values set now persist when the worksheet is saved as .ods.
- Header and footer: Any header and footer options set by clicking Insert > Header & Footer now persist when the worksheet is saved as .ods.
PowerPoint
- Tables: The number of rows and columns set for a table that is inserted into a presentation now persist when the presentation is saved as .odp.
Older versions of Office which support ODF v1.2 files can open the new v1.3 documents but can’t save the new features.
Who get ODF v1.3 support?
Beta releases of Microsoft 365 for Windows v2107 build 14215.10000. For Mac v16.51 build 21061501. Eventually it will appear in public releases of Microsoft 365.
The upcoming Office 2021 and Office LTSC for Windows & Mac will also have ODF v1.3 .
